Sis.Ruth McNair

Sis Ruth McNair went to sleep in the Lord on July 31, 2025. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Ruth McNair was born in Marianna, Florida, on April 3, 1931, to the late Willie Smith and Ruby Neal. She attended Mount Tabor School. In 1945, she moved to Port St. Joe, Florida, where she met her devoted husband, the late Elder Joe McNair. They were married for 59 years. She moved to Tampa, Florida, in 1954. She retired from the state teaching food nutrition for 11 years. She was the president of the West Riverfront Crime Watch for 25 years, a member of The Pentecostal Church of God, baptized under the Apostle W. J. Peterson in 1960, and appointed a Praying Woman. Sis McNair was a true example of a godly woman who never complained, had a kind and humble heart, gave encouragement, strength, love, and prayed for everyone. 

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Elder Joe McNair; her daughter, Deborah McNair Calhoun; her granddaughter, Kayra Waters; her parents, Ruby Neal and Willie Smith; her stepmothers, Nellie and Henrietta Smith; brothers, Willie Smith Jr. and Bobby Williams; grandmother, Lucille Trapp; aunt, Edith Norman; and cousins, Edna, and Ealy Long.

She leaves to cherish memories: her daughters, Elizabeth Ann Waters and Linda McNair Hernandez; sisters, Lonnie Hearns, and Sara Holley; brother, Orlando Williams Sr.; grands, Keith, Sherry Waters, Shannon Gudes, and Tarsha Moore; great grands, Tarshanna Blanks, Devonti and Zemia Gutierrez, Brittany, Jordan, Jaron Waters, Brittany Sanders, Amber Swinson, Nevaeh Osborne, Aaliyah Davis, Audery McDonald, and Kristie Oliver; nieces and nephews, Dr. Clarence McNair, Donna Reed, Eric, and Mattie McNair, Sheldon, Cora Curtis, Janice Gainer, Baron, Niah, Brenae, and Nathan Hillard; special cousins, Leroy, James and Maggie, Sheryl, Michael, and LaNora Long; Goddaughters, Denita Henson (Dcn. Quinton) and Denita Davis; adopted son, Rufus Ford; special sons and daughters, Kennis Mills, Lee Tramel, Al Blanks, Juan Sanchez, Jasselyn Sanchez, Patty Hunter, Delphine, Lue and Pauline; special neighbors, Peaches, Eric, Tracy, Blanca, and Ms Hattie; and a host of loving family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 08, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners. www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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